The weekend stagger

A hen or stag night just won't do any more - more and more Brits are opting for a debauched UK weekend away rather than limiting their celebrations to one evening.

A third of revellers now dedicate two or three days to the ritual self-humiliation that prefaces marriage, according to a poll carried out by Teletext Holidays. A determined 3 per cent are prepared to spend an entire week away. Britain's stags are twice as likely as the hens to make it a weekend away, with 42 per cent putting their wallets, livers and reputations at risk for two days or more.

More than a fifth of those surveyed claimed they spent £250-plus on the occasion, with 7 per cent revealing they had spent more than £500.

London is still the biggest draw, with 15 per cent of revellers heading to the capital. Blackpool is second favourite and Edinburgh has overtaken Brighton for third place.

Despite the cash boost, tourism authorities are ambivalent about their boozy visitors.

A spokeswoman for Edinburgh & Lothians Tourist Board said: 'We understand why groups of young people are attracted to the city's pub and club culture. However, we believe it is important that Edinburgh presents itself as a quality destination to discerning visitors, so we do not target this market.'

The largest gender imbalance can be found in Liverpool, with four hen parties for every stag group.